§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the soccer strategy, with particular reference to obtaining agreement between the IFA and IFL on the section relating to governance. [92885]
§ Angela SmithEncouraging progress has been towards the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Advisory Panel report "Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland". It is understood that the Irish Football Association (IFA) agreed, at a meeting on 20 January, to merge with the Irish Football League to form a unified governing body for the sport as recommended by the Advisory Panel.
The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is currently examining the Irish Football Association's development plan which sets out its proposals for the future governance of soccer in Northern Ireland, and for other aspects of the game.
§ Lady HermonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the sum of £8 million set aside by the Northern Ireland Executive in its budget proposals to finance the soccer strategy proposals is available to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for this purpose. [92886]
§ Angela SmithYes, but the allocation of funding to soccer is dependent upon the preparation of a development plan from the Irish Football Association that is acceptable to DCAL.